Baltimore’s historic Washington Monument was lit up for the holidays Thursday, kicking off the holiday season. Since 1971, Baltimore City has illuminated the monument during the first Thursday in December.

What all started with a gathering of neighbors has turned into a holiday tradition for Charm City. A holiday village was set up, with 20 local food vendors and local musicians playing holiday-themed music on the West Square of Mount Vernon Place.

The entertainment included performances by the Baltimore School for the Arts’ TWIGS Program, Peabody Brass Ensemble, OrchKids Latin Ensemble, trumpeter Brandon Woody and the the Morgan State University Choir.

The celebration started at 5 p.m. and concluded at 8 p.m. with fireworks and lights.

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Fireworks ignite the sky at the 51st Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon Thursday night, as viewed from Topside restaurant in Hotel Revival in Baltimore. The fireworks and monument lighting kick off the start of December’s holiday season. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Fireworks ignite the sky at the 51st Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon Thursday night, kicking off the start of December’s holiday season, seen from Topside in hotel Revival in Baltimore.
Fireworks ignite the sky at the 51st Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon Thursday night, as viewed from Topside restaurant in Hotel Revival in Baltimore. The fireworks and monument lighting kick off the start of December’s holiday season. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Hundreds of people gather to celebrate the 51st lighting of theMount Washington Monument in Baltimore City, Md., on December 1st, 2022.
Hundreds of people gather to celebrate the 51st lighting of the Washington Monument in Baltimore City, Md., on Dec. 1, 2022. (Paul Newson/The Baltimore Banner)
Morgan State Choir performs at the 51st Monument Lighting at the Mt. Vernon Monument in Baltimore City, Md., on December 1st, 2022. (Paul Newson/The Baltimore Banner)
Hundreds of people gather to celebrate the 51st lighting of theMount Washington Monument in Baltimore City, Md., on December 1st, 2022.
Hundreds of people gather to celebrate the 51st lighting of theMount Washington Monument in Baltimore City, Md., on December 1st, 2022. (Paul Newson/The Baltimore Banner)
Hundreds of people gather to celebrate the 51st lighting of the Washington Monument in Baltimore City, Md., on Dec. 1, 2022. (Paul Newson)

Kirk McKoy

kirk.mckoy@thebaltimorebanner.com

Kirk McKoy

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